Browsing by Subject "Traffic safety"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Lane departure avoidance system
    (2011-08) Mukhopadhyay, Mousumi; Koskie, Sarah; Chen, Yaobin; Lee, John
    Traffic accidents cause millions of injuries and tens of thousands of fatalities per year worldwide. This thesis briefly reviews different types of active safety systems designed to reduce the number of accidents. Focusing on lane departure, a leading cause of crashes involving fatalities, we examine a lane-keeping system proposed by Minoiu Enache et al.They proposed a switched linear feedback (LMI) controller and provided two switching laws, which limit driver torque and displacement of the front wheels from the center of the lane. In this thesis, a state feedback (LQR) controller has been designed. Also, a new switching logic has been proposed which is based on driver's torque, lateral offset of the vehicle from the center of the lane and relative yaw angle. The controller activates assistance torque when the driver is deemed inattentive. It is deactivated when the driver regains control. Matlab/Simulink modeling and simulation environment is used to verify the results of the controller. In comparison to the earlier switching strategies, the maximum values of the state variables lie very close to the set of bounds for normal driving zone. Also, analysis of the controller’s root locus shows an improvement in the damping factor, implying better system response.
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    Modeling, simulation, and optimization of traffic intersections using petri nets
    (2015-08) Anjilivelil, Aja; Li, Lingxi; King, Brian S.; Rizkalla, Maher E.
    With the increasing number of vehicles on the road and the amount of time people spend driving their vehicles, traffic control and management has become an important part within logistics. Effective traffic control would involve traffic signal control and control over vehicle movement. Since Petri nets are versatile enough to represent traffic signals and traffic flow, it has become an important tool in urban traffic control. Many traffic systems are modeled using hybrid Petri nets. Chapter 1 briefly talks about traffic management systems and previous related work in the area of traffic control. Chapter 2 is a basic background on various Petri nets used in the study. The section also uses examples to demonstrate the working of Petri nets. Chapter 3 introduces the need for optimization in various industry. And then, it discusses different steps involved in optimizing a process. Chapter 4 discusses the existing model of two one-way intersection. In an effort to understand the model better, simulations are also carried out. Then, drawbacks of the existing model are discussed. This paves way for a new, improved, and realistic version of two one-way intersection. Various optimization steps discussed in Chapter 3 is used to optimize traffic light of the improved model. And then, a comparison between existing model and improved model is carried out. Chapter 5 expands the study of traffic models by connecting two different one-way intersection through a road (thus making it a network). Optimization and simulation of the connected-intersection model is also carried out. Chapter 6 is the summary which will provide a brief overview about each chapter.
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    Recommendations to reduce semi-tractor trailer incidents on Indiana's major roadways
    (2019) Crowmer, David; Ichita, Maurice; Kesling, Shawn A.; Link, Tucker R.; Luczkowski, Crystal; Thomas, Amyra; Viehweg, Blaire; Foley, William A., Jr.
    The following analysis summarizes research and recommendations regarding the importance of safety associated with drivers utilizing Indiana’s major roadways, specifically, drivers operating semi-tractor trailers. This 34-page analysis including references, has been compiled over the course of one semester and details extensive themes related to the overall well-being of semi-tractor trailers. Based on extensive research, the following items are recommended to reduce semi-tractor trailer accidents on Indiana’s major roadways: • Install ignition interlocks on semi-tractor trailers • Implementing cable barriers is a cost-effective method to eliminate the risk of cars crossing the centerline while driving • Encourage the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and its partners to conduct research on where to place cable and steel barriers • Create speed restrictions in non-interstate highways for vehicles with a gross weight greater than 26,000 pounds (lbs.) to improve the safety of rural roadways • Increase the width of these roadways will decrease the possibility of vehicles departing the road • Create situational speed restrictions for the counties listed in the “Other Restrictions Regarding Semi-Tractor Trailers” section • Post speed limit and no passing zone signs in regular intervals with proper placement in rural areas where vehicles may attempt to pass local vehicles, including farm equipment, with limited knowledge of the architecture of the roadways • Consider advocating for rest areas to be implemented on U.S. state roads in addition to interstate roadways • Construct additional rest areas on I-69 near Petersburg, IN and on I-70 in either Vermillion or Gibson County • Expand upon the rest area in White County to resolve issues of capacity and safety The transportation infrastructure continues to be a vital instrument for the Crossroads of America. As a global center of transportation and logistics, the economy of Indiana relies heavily on freight movement (INDOT, n.d.). Freight movement will continue to aid the State of Indiana in competitive advantage compared to other states. By 2040, the expected increase of freight flow is 60 percent (INDOT, n.d.). The work behind this analysis directly supports the expansion of freight mobility while promoting Indiana as a leader in prioritizing driving safety.
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    Road Accident Reconstruction and Simulation With and Without EDR Data
    (2011-08-23) Modak, Anagha Gurunath; Koskie, Sarah; Chen, Yaobin; Li, Lingxi
    Road accident reconstruction and simulation investigates the accident causes, suggests improvements in vehicle design and investigates failures in vehicle control and safety systems such as the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and air-bag deployment. This thesis focuses on analysis of crash data from vehicles not equipped with collision warning systems. Vehicle parameters before and during an accident can be recorded using an Event Data Recorder (EDR) which helps in reconstructing an accident. This tool, installed in the vehicle, records different crash parameters like vehicle speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, seat-belt status, and air-bag deployment over a period that spens the accident. This thesis focuses on accident reconstruction with and without EDR data. A simulation software tool called HVE is used to visually recreate the reconstructed accidents. HVE is a platform to execute different accident simulation methods which are used for specific types of simulations. Two such simulation methods, EDSMAC4 and EDHIS, are discussed in this thesis. The former is an important method for vehicle-to-vehicle collisions and the latter is used for analysis of human behavior involved in the accident. Three real-life accidents were chosen for reconstruction and simulation. They were Bus and Car accident, Three Vehicle accident and Intersection accident. These particular accidents were chosen to represent a diverse selection of accidents based on the following parameters: the locations of the accidents, the vehicles involved in each accident, and the data available. A qualitative analysis of vehicle occupant's behavior is also presented for one of the three accidents. The thesis discusses in detail the reconstruction of these three accidents. Throughout these simulations, the thesis illustrates the advantages and limitations of the EDR and HVE simulation software for accident reconstruction and simulation.